(Schwarzenneger - R-California) State asks feds for $4.7 billion for speedy trains (stimulus funds) [View All]

[UpInArms]

Source: Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger requested $4.7 billion in federal stimulus money Friday to help build an 800-mile bullet train system from San Diego to San Francisco.

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Schwarzenegger told a news conference at Los Angeles' Union Station that it was time for U.S. rail networks to achieve speeds reached by systems in Europe and Asia.

"We're traveling on our trains at the same speed as 100 years ago," the governor said. "That is inexcusable. America must catch up."

<snip>

The application filed Friday seeks more than half of an $8 billion pot of stimulus money set aside for high-speed rail development across the country.

Schwarzenegger said California deserved such a large chunk because it is farther along in planning than other states and is ready to break ground in 2011, a year earlier than federal guidelines call for.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i0OD7AJj2mfsgxLnuvfyMrUSj75AD9B36VLG2

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I thought republicans didn't want stimulus money?